Each year, the American Red Cross honors individuals from Riverside and San Bernardino Counties for their outstanding acts of heroism and humanitarian service with the Inland Empire Heroes Awards. This year, the awards will take place on Tuesday, March 8th at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside.
“We are thrilled to recognize local heroes from across the Inland Empire that are saving lives and creating safer and stronger communities,” noted Lois Beckman, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Riverside County, in a press release. “Each of this year’s honorees has a unique and inspiring story and has made a lasting impact throughout the Inland Empire, and beyond.”
Congratulations to the following honorees:
Animal Welfare Hero Award: Lori Rich, Taking it to the Streets with Lori and Shira - Jurupa Valley
Mother and daughter team Lori and Shira Rich founded this organization which assists pets of the homeless, providing services like food, water and veterinary services for homeless pets across Riverside. Last year the organization, whose mission is to “Spread a Little Kindness each day,” served over 1500 pets.
Corporate Hero Award: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians – Palm Springs
For over 25 years, the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians has chosen to fund hundreds of non-profit organizations throughout the Coachella Valley, including gifts and grants for civic and public service agencies, youth groups, healthcare organizations, schools, libraries and food banks. They've also supported causes such as putting a stop to diabetes and cancer and helping disaster relief agencies like the American Red Cross in times of hurricanes, fires, tornadoes and pandemic disasters.
First Responder Hero Award: Officer Christopher Delaney and Sergeant Jim Tseng – Upland
In September 2021 Officer Delaney and Sergeant Tseng were dispatched to respond to an armed subject who was on his way to a nearby hospital with threats to harm hospital staff. Officer Delaney and Sergeant Tseng bravely worked together with other officers to stop the subject and arrest him before anyone was hurt.
Gift of Life Hero Award: Mark Shinoda – Riverside
Every other Wednesday evening, Mark Shinoda drives from Riverside County to Orange County after work to donate life-saving platelets, a process which takes an average of 2 ½ hours (and two needles!). Even during the pandemic, Mark has remained committed to donating blood, and has donated 44 times since 2020.
Good Samaritan Hero Award: Mike Johnson – Murrieta
Mike Johnson was playing pickleball with his friend Russ when Russ had a heart attack. Mike immediately jumped into action and started CPR on his friend, while yelling for help. Mike and others were able to administer CPR and AED and thankfully, Russ regained breathing before being transported to a local hospital for further treatment. Now, Mike is working to ensure members of the community are trained in CPR and first aid, and has worked with the Red Cross to hold dozens of trainings in his community to ensure people are equipped with vital skills that could save a life, like the life of his friend Russ.
Service to the Armed Forces Hero Award: Michael and Daisy Welsh, Working Dogs for Warriors – Fontana
Michael and Daisy Welsh are the founders of Working Dogs For Warriors, a non-profit organization established to honor those who have dedicated their lives to serving our community and country. The organization is dedicated to helping our nation’s warriors by training and donating services dogs to veterans and first responders.
They work to help veterans and first responders who may be suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or any other service-related injury by training and donating a service dog to them. Their mission is to match service dogs with the specific needs of recipients to help better their lives.
Youth Hero Award: Delaney Atkinson – Rancho Cucamonga
Delaney Atkinson is the President and Founder of the Service for Heroes club at Los Osos High School. Over the last four years, she has honored first responders on First Responders Day by taking them treats from the club, delivered pies on Thanksgiving morning to local first responders, and honored all veterans on the Los Osos High School campus on Veterans Day. Most recently, Delaney spearheaded the planning and fundraising for a memorial to be built on campus to honor Marine Lance Cpl. Dylan Merola, a graduate of Los Osos High School who was one of the 13 U.S. service members tragically killed in a suicide bombing at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan on August 26, 2021. Delaney goes above and beyond to ensure first responders, service members and veterans are always remembered.
Youth Hero Award: Andrew Phelps – Riverside
On Saturday, May 22, 2021, Andrew Phelps was in the car with his sister and mother when he observed a car that had clipped an electrical pole and been driven onto the curb, with the driver slumped over behind the wheel. He immediately alerted his family to pull over, assessed the scene for safety, and called 911. Andrew had taken Sports Medicine coursework as part of the Career Technical Education pathway offered at North High School in Riverside, and he had completed the American Health & Safety Institute Basic First Aid/CPR & AED training just one week earlier. He ensured the electrical pole didn’t pose a falling hazard, and as the car was still running, he opened the driver's door to put the car in park, engaged the emergency brake and turned the engine off. Andrew checked for the driver’s pulse and continued monitoring vitals until first responders arrived. Andrew updated the driver's status to the first responders who, in turn, assumed care of the driver, who was having a diabetic seizure. By using the skills he had learned in his recent training, Andrew was able to help save a life.